Shaun Goater banged home his fifth goal in eight games but it couldn't stop the Shrimpers going down to bottom-of-the-table MK Dons.

The veteran Bermudian scuffed home from ten yards after just 12 minutes to give top-of-the-table Southend the lead but goals from Gary Smith and Scott Taylor gave the former Wimbledon team a rare victory.

Southend remain six points clear at the top of league one but second-placed Brentford have two games in hand. Goater's side have eight games remaining.

The veteran striker, who has been on a hot scoring streak of late, was replaced in the 81st minute by Wayne Gray.